Cyclone Aila paralyzes Kolkata airport

Kolkata: All flights to and from the West Bengal capital have been suspended for the time being at the NSC Bose International Airport as a severe storm with a wind speed of 80kmph hit the city, an airport official said.

All flights including domestic and international ones are being diverted to different routes since 2pm as low visibility at the runway is making it difficult for planes to land and take off, the official said.

A total of seven domestic flights have either been sent back to their place of origin or have been diverted to other airports of Aizawl, New Delhi and Mumbai, the official said.

International flights like those from Bangkok and Dhaka were also diverted.

The main runway, which was shut down for repairs, was also put to use as the situation worsened since morning.